[Discussion] Avatar Size Limits.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2006-01-04 06:42pm

On request from several members, I have been asked to bring up the point of potentially increasing the size of Avatar files, either across the board, for 'members in good standing', or just senators. I don't know how much of an impact this would have on board performance, and obviously that's a concern.

So. Discuss!

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2006-01-04 06:43pm

I see no reason to do so for anyone, and it will increase the page loading times for everyone. Leave the limits where they are now.

Post by **Dalton** » 2006-01-04 06:58pm

Well, I think increasing it by 1 or 2kb could help some people use those high-quality avatars they just can't quite shrink down to size.

GrandMasterTerwynn · Post by **GrandMasterTerwynn** » 2006-01-04 07:04pm

Dalton wrote:Well, I think increasing it by 1 or 2kb could help some people use those high-quality avatars they just can't quite shrink down to size.

I agree that bumping up the size by 1 or 2 kb might be a big relief. Getting an avatar down to under 6kb can require some image processing gymnastics, whereas getting an avatar down to 8kb or under doesn't take quite as much fiddling.

Post by **Rob Wilson** » 2006-01-04 07:22pm

GrandMasterTerwynn wrote:
Dalton wrote:Well, I think increasing it by 1 or 2kb could help some people use those high-quality avatars they just can't quite shrink down to size.
I agree that bumping up the size by 1 or 2 kb might be a big relief. Getting an avatar down to under 6kb can require some image processing gymnastics, whereas getting an avatar down to 8kb or under doesn't take quite as much fiddling.

Each page holds 25 posts, so by having a 8kb avatar you would have 200kb as opposed to the present 150kb. so for a possible extra seconds load time is there an real reason to oppose a 2 kb increase?

Post by **Rob Wilson** » 2006-01-04 07:24pm

SirNitram wrote: either across the board,

Due to software constraints, I think this would be the only option.

Post by **Broomstick** » 2006-01-04 08:20pm

Personally, I find the current sig limits more than sufficient. Many are on the verge of distracting when reading short posts. I don't want to get to the point where it becomes common to see sigs longer than a lot of the posts themselves.

I expect I'm in the minority on this one, too.

Brevity is often a virtue - in sigs or posts - so I'll shut up now.

======

[edit]
... and reading the thread title is also a good idea. Somehow I confused this with sig limits.

Even so - Much of my argument still stands. Avatars are cute, wonderful, etc. but I'm much more intersted in the content of the posts than the cute pictures. I don't want to see the bells and whistles overwhelm the debate and discussion aspects of this forum, which is what drew me here in the first place.

Ender · Post by **Ender** » 2006-01-04 11:39pm

Are we talking just the file size, or pixel dimensions as well?

GrandMasterTerwynn · Post by **GrandMasterTerwynn** » 2006-01-04 11:44pm

Ender wrote:Are we talking just the file size, or pixel dimensions as well?

I was thinking file-size. 100x100 is big enough as it is. I've seen boards where they allow avatars of larger dimensions, and the effect is rather terrible.

Connor MacLeod · Post by **Connor MacLeod** » 2006-01-04 11:47pm

I'm all for a small increase in resolution, mainly because its a pain in the ass to squint at some avatars and figure out what the hell it is.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2006-01-05 01:15am

I think a 10 kB avatar size limit would be okay, keeping the current dimensions.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2006-01-05 02:46am

Keep in mind that a page with 25 different posts on it could have as many as 25 different avatars, and unlike sig images, every single one of them comes off this server, thus reducing bandwidth for everything else, such as the rest of the page. If server performance is affected, a vote may be irrelevant in the sense that we cannot practically implement the desired changes regardless of any vote.

Post by **Rob Wilson** » 2006-01-05 08:53am

Darth Wong wrote:Keep in mind that a page with 25 different posts on it could have as many as 25 different avatars, and unlike sig images, every single one of them comes off this server, thus reducing bandwidth for everything else, such as the rest of the page. If server performance is affected, a vote may be irrelevant in the sense that we cannot practically implement the desired changes regardless of any vote.

This was PMed to me and appears relevant in context

I would like to propose a compromise to the size vs. board bandwidth problem. Some other boards have an option to link to an off-site avatar, rather than uploading it. (example) This would allow for larger avatar files, without increasing strain on the server.

Of course, there is a downside. The board I linked to does not do any checking on the size (file or dimensions) of the off-site avatars. The mod staff would have to oppress anyone who violates size policies manually.

Post by **Rob Wilson** » 2006-01-05 01:28pm

My above PM generate some additional PM's

Hello Rob Wilson.
I'm writing to you regarding the discussion in the Imperial Senate about the avatar size restrictions. You recently posted a PM which proposed allowing remote linking, but which raised a possible concern regarding their sizes. From what I have seen on other boards, it is possible to have a remote avatar be automatically scaled down, actual size notwithstanding. You may want to Mike look into this. The board which I have just confirmed this on is running vBulletin 3.5.1.

And

Back when I joined the board SD.net did allow linking to off site avatars. I even did that myself but I botched up the image size so it ended up coming up as huge compared to the other avatars. Of course the peanut gallery caught on to this fast and started linking to avatars from off site just so they could have much larger than normal avatars. This ended up leading to the off site avatar function being disabled rather quickly.

I have been to boards that do allow offsite linking and are able to limit the displayed file size and dimensions but I don't know if SD.net's software can do that or not.

Hope that is helpful.

For any other Non-senate members wanting to raise similar points on that theme, there is now no need.

If however you have other concerns associated with Avatar sizes please PM a Senate member (after reading this of course).

Lord Poe · Post by **Lord Poe** » 2006-01-08 07:53pm

Off-site avatars would be a good idea. If everyone would agree to optimize their avatar for faster web loading, a bigger size could be used, say 150x150. This is the size of avatars I use on another board, and optimized:

Post by **Coyote** » 2006-01-08 09:31pm

Off site avatars is great but it will increase Mod workload. If they're up for that, wel then there's no problem. But otherwise the board is kinda slow to load as it is for some people (we constantly have to warn picture limits) so any increases should be small.

The results can be interesting but a oddly long or tall avatar can skew a page and make it necessary to scroll horizontally (a pain) even if it fits the requirements... and I can see a plethora of Redshirts coming in posting mega-avatars (they never read the rules, dammit) and requiring fire brigade work from irritated mods. Plus avatar size and complexity can become a dick-wagging contest for some.

Connor MacLeod · Post by **Connor MacLeod** » 2006-01-09 03:31am

Whoa, Wayne, is that you?

Lord Poe · Post by **Lord Poe** » 2006-01-09 05:00am

Connor MacLeod wrote:Whoa, Wayne, is that you?

Yup. I'm on the case..

Dalton: "Of donuts.."

Shut up, Dalton!

Post by **Dalton** » 2006-01-09 09:19am

Linking to off-site avatars has its own share of potential problems. We'll just have to keep some of our more eclectic members from linking to 500px monstrosities.

Lord Poe wrote:Yup. I'm on the case..

Dalton: "Of donuts.."

Shut up, Dalton!

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2006-01-09 09:40am

A variety of people I would trust that they would keep the avatar in some sense of level.

But given how many times I've had to remind people of sig sizes, I would put less in offsite avatars.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2006-01-09 10:06am

What if there were a strict policy for off-site avatars? Say, first time you broke the size limit, you get a warning, second time, you lose avatar privleges. With an instant loss for flagrant violations. One way or another, that would keep av sizes down.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2006-01-09 10:17am

Dalton wrote:Linking to off-site avatars has its own share of potential problems. We'll just have to keep some of our more eclectic members from linking to 500px monstrosities.

Lord Poe wrote:Yup. I'm on the case..

Dalton: "Of donuts.."

Shut up, Dalton!

I don't think it'd be too difficult to check the image. When the user enters the URL for the avatar, have the software download it and check its size, just as it does with uploaded avatars.

If a user somehow circumvents this, we can simply ban his ass.

Connor MacLeod · Post by **Connor MacLeod** » 2006-01-09 03:36pm

Lord Poe wrote:
Connor MacLeod wrote:Whoa, Wayne, is that you?
Yup. I'm on the case..

You look alot like Meat Loaf, Private Eye

Dalton: "Of donuts.."

Shut up, Dalton!

Oh, don't worry. You know he's just jealous that you have donuts.

Chris OFarrell · Post by **Chris OFarrell** » 2006-01-11 06:57am

Not anymore, Dalton has probably raided his house already.

Avatars are fine as they are. I actualy like understated avatars and signitures in a BBS. BBS's which have all manner of sizes, animated crap and what not just drives me nuts.

CmdrWilkens · Post by **CmdrWilkens** » 2006-01-12 12:42am

RedImperator wrote:What if there were a strict policy for off-site avatars? Say, first time you broke the size limit, you get a warning, second time, you lose avatar privleges. With an instant loss for flagrant violations. One way or another, that would keep av sizes down.

That and maybe a delay on Avatar priveledges? As I understand it avatars are turned on by default when you are accepted so maybe offer it as a bonus for staying 3 months and 30 posts or something? Just another idea for the discussion.

StarDestroyer.Net BBS

[Discussion] Avatar Size Limits.

[Discussion] Avatar Size Limits.

Re: [Discussion] Avatar Size Limits.